EAU CLAIRE - For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Forensics Team placed in the top 10 teams of the nation at the American Forensics Association's National Individual Events Tournament, held April 5 and 6 in Arlington, Texas.

Seven of the 10 UW-Eau Claire students attending the tournament received top honors. Junior Ann Hackel, Appleton, placed sixth in Program Oral Interpretation. Hackel teamed with junior Mike Paulus, Eau Claire, to place in the top 24 of Duo Interpretation. Paulus also received top 24 honors for his Dramatic Interpretation. Nicole Defenbaugh, a junior from Wales, placed in the top 12 of Informative Speaking along with senior Jen Sunstrom, Appleton.

Sophomore Libby Haight, Anoka, Minn., placed in the top 24 of Poetry Interpretation and Communication Analysis and placed in the top 12 of Prose Interpretation. Senior Jen Reel, Wausau, placed in the top 24 of Communication Analysis as well.

The team's next stop will be a second national tournament sponsored by the National Forensics Association, where it has placed in the top 10 for the past four years and top five for the past three years. The 1997 championships will be held at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.
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Updated: April 14, 1997